Sir Stephen Lushington | |
|---|---|
| Born | 12 December 1803 |
| Died | 28 May 1877 (aged 73) Oak Lodge, Thornton Heath, Surrey |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland |
| Service | &sq=&lang=&file=File:Naval_Ensign_of_the_United_Kingdom.svg){kind=small} Royal Navy |
| Years of service | 1816–1877 |
| Rank | Admiral |
| Commands | |
| Battles / wars | |
| Awards | Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath Chevalier of the Order of Saint Louis Order of the Redeemer Commandeur of the Legion of Honour Order of the Medjidie, Second Class Crimea Medal Turkish Crimea Medal |
| Relations | Dr Stephen Lushington (uncle) |
Admiral Sir Stephen Lushington GCB (12 December 1803 – 28 May 1877) was an officer in the Royal Navy who served during the Crimean War. Long and distinguished service in the Mediterranean brought him honours and rewards.
Lushington was born into a gentry family, the son of a baronet, while his uncle was a judge and a member of parliament. Stephen entered the navy shortly after the end of the Napoleonic Wars, and after serving under a number of officers in far-flung locations like the Mediterranean and the South American coast, rose through the ranks. He was particularly active against pirates in the Aegean Sea and was promoted to lieutenant after a number of boat actions. He returned to the Mediterranean at his new rank and saw action at the Battle of Navarino, where the British were allied with the Russians against the Ottoman forces. Lushington came to the attention of Admiral Sir Edward Codrington, the British commander in chief, and was soon promoted to his own command, that of a bomb vessel. He distinguished himself while supporting French operations in the Morea expedition, and received French and Greek honours for his part in attack on an Ottoman position, as well as the professional approbation of the French naval commander.
Though promoted to post captain, Lushington went on to spend ten years without a ship. Returning to service in 1839, he went out to the West Indies, but had to return home due to illness. He went on to command more ships in the Mediterranean, and was there when the Crimean War broke out. Operating this time against the Russians and in alliance with the Ottomans, Lushington took command of the naval brigade and won further honours. He was promoted to flag rank and received honours from the French and Ottomans, as well as from the British government. He rose to admiral during his last years, served as lieutenant-governor of Greenwich Hospital, and died in 1877 a Knight Grand Cross of the Bath and with a collection of foreign honours.